Prize-winner's rainbow dreams

Catrin Angharad Roberts hopes to pursue her showbiz dreams

Success with folk songs has opened doors to a future that could involve more modern musical styles for Bryn Terfel Scholarship winner Catrin Angharad Roberts.

The 21-year-old from Llanbedrgoch, Anglesey, became eligible to compete for the scholarship, televised on S4C, after winning best folk tune at the Urdd Eisteddfod in May 2009.

Now she's hanging on to her £4,000 winnings while she decides what to do next.

"I was excited more than nervous on the night as I was really looking forward to doing something different to folk singing, because that's what people connect me with."

She grabbed the opportunity to show what she could do with a song from the musicals - Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

This might be the next step in her ambition to move into more easy-listening, jazzy material.

Concerts

"I'd love to sing with a big brass band, like Jane McDonald or Barbara Streisand," said Catrin. "I sang an up-tempo, jazzy song with a band on a TV programme and it was great.

"I am wondering if it is possible to make a living out of singing. It's a very competitive world, but in my heart that's what I want to do - make CDs, do concerts."

So the scholarship might be used to make a CD, get more professional singing lessons or return to university.

She gave up a degree in Welsh and music to take time out and decide what she really wanted to do.

In the meantime, Catrin has been working with the Urdd youth movement and throwing herself into her new hobby, conducting a male voice choir.

Things like the Urdd eisteddfod help you get used to performing and dealing with your nerves Catrin Angharad Roberts

"I've always wanted to try and conduct a choir and they've agreed to have me," she said. "I get the chance to arrange folk tunes and cerdd dant. They have a go at it, and I get to hear my pieces being performed.

"I try to strike a happy medium between learning the songs without being too heavy on the practising."

So if you're a man between 20 and 35 who wants to have a bit of fun singing and you can get to Penmynydd, Anglesey, contact Catrin at [e-mail] for practice times.

Her advice for anyone else trying to succeed in singing is: "Take any chance you get to compete on a stage. Things like the Urdd eisteddfod help you get used to performing and dealing with your nerves."

And as for Bryn Terfel's advice. "He told me to start a band!" said Catrin. "I might just do that."